Supreme Court today, even slammed the Indian Army for not allowing Women to take part in the NDA entrance exam. Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati appearing for the government and Indian Army told the court that it’s a policy decision not to allow women to take the NDA exam, the apex court called the Army’s “policy decision” gender discrimination. “It’s a policy decision which is based on gender discrimination. We direct the Centre and Army to take a constructive view of the matter…,” the Bench of Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice Hrishikesh Roy said expressing displeasure on “regressive mindset”.
Currently, men get permanent commission in the country’s armed forces through the NDA entrance exam. On the other hand, women are recruited as Short Service Commission officers and are considered for permanent commission later.
According to LiveLaw, the petition had said the eligible and willing female candidates were being denied the opportunity of entry to the NDA on the basis of their gender, thereby categorically excluding women aspirants the chance to train at the premier joint training institute of the Indian Armed Forces.
On March 10, a Bench led by then Chief Justice of India Sharad A Bobde had issued notices to the Centre and the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on the petition.
During the hearing today, the Centre said, “Women are being granted equal opportunity in the armed forces in the avenues that have been opened up for employment of women. There is no violation of any fundamental right merely on account of the mode of entries available to men and women to join the armed forces.”
